Cervical Screening:
now available at Clinic51
Cervical screening saves thousands of lives from cervical cancer each year in the UK
Cervical screening (a smear) helps prevent cervical cancer. In England cervical screening currently prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths. If everyone attended screening regularly, 83% could be prevented.
Cervical screening is for women and people with a cervix, the cervix is the entrance to your womb (inside your body at the top of your vagina). Having cervical screening lowers your chances of getting cervical cancer. Screening finds abnormal cells so they can be removed before they become cancerous.
At your screen a female nurse or doctor will insert a speculum, check that your cervix looks healthy and take a sample of cells from your cervix; these are then sent to the lab to check for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. If the result is negative it is highly unlikely you have any abnormal cervical cells and we advise you to be rescreened in 3-5 years. If HPV is found then the lab will look at the sample for abnormal cells (cytology). If there are no abnormal cells you should have another screen in 12 months. If there are abnormal cells we will advise you how to be referred to gynaecology for further investigation and treatment called a colposcopy.
While cervical screening is available on the NHS, we know that for many midlife women particularly, this can be an uncomfortable experience. Our women’s health nurse is hugely experienced, and our clinic space is designed to be calm and peaceful. While the actual test only takes about 10 minutes, our appointments are 30 minutes long, to allow you plenty of time for questions, to feel prepared, and to recover afterwards. Women find that this helps to make this test much more comfortable.
(Please read our Terms & Conditions and have a credit or debit card available as full payment is required at the time of booking.)
How often should I be screened?
The NHS offers screening every 3 years from age 25 to 49 and every 5 years from age 50 to 64. This is because most cervical cancers occur in women between these ages. Some people are screened more often due to a previous screening result.
At Clinic51 we are happy to screen women >25 years annually. We would not recommend that women <25 are screened as rates of cervical cancer are low in this age group and it is common to pick up minor abnormalities that clear up on their own. Women under 25 years who have symptoms they are concerned about should see a doctor and be examined.
You should consider having screening regardless of your sexual orientation, sexual history, or whether you have had the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
Having a cervical screen privately will not affect your eligibility for your next NHS screening test when it is due.
Sadly screening cannot prevent every cervical cancer so if you have any symptoms such as unusual bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause, or unusual vaginal discharge, please speak with your GP as soon as possible.
For patient information on Cervical Screening at Clinic51, click here
“I have avoided and delayed having a smear on the NHS previously, because it has always been such an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience. Having it carried out by an experienced practitioner, who was able to take their time, made the whole procedure completely fine”
Clinic51 patient, April 2024